If your individual income is too low to sponsor your parents, your spouse or common-law partner can act as a co-signer. This allows you to pool both of your incomes on your CRA Notices of Assessment to easily meet the strict LICO plus 30% Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement.
Living in Canada can be expensive, and meeting the rigorous financial thresholds for family sponsorship on a single income is often a massive hurdle. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) demands that sponsors prove they have earned the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30% for three consecutive years. For a growing family living in cities like Vancouver or Ottawa, this requirement can seem out of reach. Thankfully, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides a powerful solution.
By officially adding a co-signer to your application, you can combine your financial resources. 📍 A co-signer legally commits to sharing the 20-year financial undertaking with you. This means that both incomes are merged to pass the IRCC test. However, becoming a co-signer is not simply signing a form; it is a serious legal commitment governed by strict Canadian immigration laws.
Step-by-Step Process for Adding a Co-Signer in Canada
To successfully combine incomes, you must follow the correct IRCC procedures when submitting your PGP application. Failing to properly establish your co-signer’s eligibility can lead to the entire application being rejected.
Step 1: Confirm Co-Signer Eligibility
Not just anyone can be a co-signer. 👤 Under Canadian law, a co-signer must strictly be your legally married spouse or your recognized common-law partner. Furthermore, they must be at least 18 years old, reside in Canada, and be either a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident. You cannot use a sibling, an aunt, or a friend as a co-signer for the PGP program.
Step 2: Pool Your CRA Notices of Assessment
Once eligibility is confirmed, you must gather the financial proof. Both you and your co-signer must obtain your official Notices of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the three consecutive tax years prior to applying. You will add your Line 15000 (Gross Income) to your co-signer’s Line 15000 for each year. This combined total must meet or exceed the LICO+30% threshold for your total family size.
Step 3: Sign the Joint Undertaking
The most legally binding part of this process is the Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking. 📝 Both you and your co-signer must sign this document. It guarantees the Canadian government that you will be financially responsible for the sponsored parents for 20 years from the day they become Permanent Residents. If the parents ever claim provincial social assistance (welfare), you and your co-signer are equally liable to repay the government.
How Much Does a Co-Signer Application Cost?
Adding a co-signer does not drastically increase the government fees, but you must ensure all standard processing fees are paid.
| Fee Component | Cost (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship & PR Fees | $1,050+ | Standard IRCC fees for processing the principal applicant (parent). |
| Co-Signer IRCC Fee | $0 | There is no specific extra government fee simply for adding a co-signer. |
| Lawyer Consultation | $200 – $500 | Highly recommended to ensure the combined income calculations are perfect. |
While the IRCC fees remain stable, remember that the true cost of a co-signer arrangement is the immense 20-year legal liability attached to the undertaking. 💸
How Long Does the Process Take?
Having a co-signer does not speed up or slow down the processing of your PGP application. You will still face the standard federal wait time, which currently sits at approximately 20 to 24 months. Your co-signer simply makes the application viable by satisfying the Minimum Necessary Income requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens if we get divorced during the 20-year undertaking?
Divorce or separation does not cancel the legal undertaking. If you and your co-signer separate after the parents receive PR, the co-signer remains legally and financially responsible to the Canadian government for the remainder of the 20-year term.
Can my brother co-sign to help bring our parents over?
No. Under the regulations of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), only a spouse or a recognized common-law partner can act as a co-signer for family sponsorship. Siblings cannot combine their incomes to meet the MNI.
Do we need a joint bank account to prove we share finances?
No, a joint bank account is not required for the financial assessment. IRCC relies strictly on the official Line 15000 figures from both of your individual CRA Notices of Assessment. However, you must prove your marriage or common-law relationship is genuine.
Can a co-signer withdraw their support before the PR is approved?
Yes. A co-signer can withdraw their support at any time before the sponsored parents are officially granted Permanent Residence. However, if they withdraw, your combined income will drop, and IRCC will likely refuse the application if your solo income is insufficient.
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